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Introduction |
Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) is a disorder of the blood. Immune refers to the immune system's involvement in this disorder. Antibodies, part of the body's immunologic defense against infection, attach to blood platelet, cells that help stop bleeding, and cause their destruction. Thrombocytopenia refers to decrease in blood platelet. Purpura refers to the purplish- looking areas of the skin and mucous membranes (such as the lining of the mouth) where bleeding has occurred as a result of decreased platelet. Some cases of ITP are caused by drugs, and others are associated with infection, pregnancy, or immune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus. About half of all cases are classified as "idiopathic," meaning the cause is unknown. |
What Are the Symptoms of ITP? |
The main symptom is bleeding, which can include bruising
("ecchymosis") and tiny red dots on the skin or mucous membranes
("petechiae"). In some instances bleeding from the nose, gums,
digestive or urinary tracts may also occur. Rarely, bleeding
within the brain occurs.
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How Is ITP Diagnosed? |
The physician will take a medical history and perform a thorough
physical examination. A careful review of medications the
patient is taking is important because some drugs can be
associated with thrombocytopenia. A complete blood count will be
done. A low platelet count will establish thrombocytopenia as
the cause of purpura. Often the next procedure is a bone marrow
examination to verify that there are adequate platelet-forming
cells (megakaryocyte) in the marrow and to rule out other
diseases such as metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread to the
bone marrow) and leukemia cancer of the blood cells themselves).
Another blood sample may be drawn to check for other conditions
sometimes associated with thrombocytopenia such as lupus and
infection. Acute and Chronic Form of Thrombocytopenic Purpura Acute (temporary) thrombocytopenic purpura is most commonly seen in young children. Boys and girls are equally affected. Symptoms often, but do not necessarily, follow a viral infection. About 85 percent of children recover within 1 year and the problem doesn't return. Thrombocytopenic purpura is considered chronic when it has lasted more than 6 months. The onset of illness may be at any age. Adults more often have the chronic disorder and females are affected two to three times more than males. The onset of illness may be at any age. |
How Is ITP Treated? |
If the doctor thinks a drug is the cause of the thrombocytopenia,
standard treatment involves discontinuing the drug's use.
Infection, if present, is treated vigorously since control of the
infection may result in a return of the platelet count to normal. The treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is determined by the severity of the symptoms. In somed from the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 8923, New Fairfield, CT 06812; tel: (203) 746-6518.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
This e-text is not copyrighted. NIDDK encourages users to duplicate and distribute as many copies as needed. |
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NIH Publication No. 90-2114 September 1990 e-text last updated: 12 February 1998 |